BY JUDE OGUTA
It is no secret that I voted Buhari in the last election. This was because I believed a team of Buhari/Bakare will fight corruption (Nigeria's biggest problem)-to a standstill. I will not try that again. Well not because Goodluck is a better person but for the following reasons:
1. Sectionalism:
Buhari has failed to carry a major tribe along in his campaign-The Igbos. He goes about his political pursuit with an attitude that says "I will never need them". No trying to win them over even if it has to be a failed attempt. No visits, no campaign in the South East, No possibility of a running mate. For a group of people most
widely traveled and scattered in almost every part of Nigeria, they would need
assurance that they would be voting a leader that will make policies to
accommodate their versatility. For Nigeria to forge ahead as a nation, I
believe we would need a president that will be accepted by all tribes and religion,
even if it is just a minority from that tribe. I loved someone that suggested
Obi Ezekewesili as a running mate to him. She's Igbo, She's Christian, She's a woman,
She's no-nonsense- Her attachment would have balanced the equation.
2. Borrowing
lifestyle: While the general masses who are not into building enterprises
will actually think that being poor is a form of piety- I beg to differ. A true
leader must succeed in other areas like business, social works etc. If after
many years of "affecting lives", Buhari has not built enough social
capital to support his ambition or even have someone that will build him a
house just in appreciation then I doubt his credibility and reliability. The media has it that he borrowed money to build 3 houses and to
pick form etc. Its either he was not affecting lives or he does not know how to
manage and multiply resources, or worst still he lives above his means. If you must borrow, let it be to invest in business, not to build houses. A house is not an asset, apologies to Robert Kiyosaki-the world renowned financial adviser and author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad. It is dangerous to hand over the wealth and aspirations of over 170 million people to such a man as he will assume that every rich man is a thief. He may kill corruption but will also kill the economy with it
3. Over-Aged and Old
fashioned: Buhari is not in tune with the changing times due to his age(71).
Imagine someone in this modern times declaring cows as his asset. In his recent
vociferous declaration of asset he said he is not comfortable staying without cows, so he has 150 of them (Never seen a man with 150pets). Moreso, I want a leader that understands and
uses computer, internet, social media etc. You can't fight modern corruption
without such knowledge. 21st Century fraud has gone digital, only a
young man in tune with technology can fight it aright. Passion without knowledge will
result to foolishness. Many will steal you dry without touching physical cash or visiting the bank or signing any paper but with one click of the mouse
4. Void of true
leadership ideals: At that age and with the positions he has handled in
government, he is supposed to have raised so many Buhari's from the North-men
empowered and baptized with the same rugged principles and values he believes. Yet the North is the most impoverished people in the country even after they have held power longer than others. It tells something about a void in their leaders. The reason killing Jesus did not stop Jesus is that he has raised 12 other men
as ‘dangerous’ as he was. At 30 Jesus could boldly say that his mission is finished something Buhari cannot say at 71. He still weeps that he
is not given opportunity to rule. We don't just need a ruler, we need a mentor
that is what leadership is all about-INFLUENCE.
5. High handedness:
In as much as we want someone that will fight corruption, we still don't need a
brutal fellow that acts out of emotion and a stereotyped definition of uprightness but one that does it out of wisdom. The
innocent can suffer along with the guilty just because a man wants to prove a
point. It is better that ten guilty persons escape, than that one innocent suffer. I have seen prophets beheaded because one king wants to show that he
is a man of his words. Buhari may have his way as a military dictator who can take laws into his hands but not as democratically elected leader where the opinions of others matter.
Unlike others I would not want to recall his past in government where he incarcerated innocent men that do not agree with him or try to associate him with Boko Haram. GEJ has not impressed me a bit as a president but if between two evils I am required to choose the least, I would opt for him.
Unlike others I would not want to recall his past in government where he incarcerated innocent men that do not agree with him or try to associate him with Boko Haram. GEJ has not impressed me a bit as a president but if between two evils I am required to choose the least, I would opt for him.
Jude Oguta writes from Lagos Nigeria. follow him on Twitter: @judewatchman
Funny, childish and vexing together..... 1. Go to Nairaland -- Igbos there say even if he chose Christ or Obama as running mate, its Jonathan. Plus Igbos unfortunately have always supported whoever has power. Yet he bothers (it was in Igbo-land he gave 1 million to a state party HQ and we all heard he was "bribing". 2. Why is Dangote the biggest debtor in Nigeria? Has this article's writer ever done biz? Everyone loans money and his pension is enough guarantee while he uses his own funds for his business. 3. Why not ask for a yahoo yahoo to be president if internet knowledge is all that matters? Or in fact, prove that owning 20 cows means (as you imply)he cannot use a computer? 4. Name 2 men that Mandela raised. Name 2 that Obama has raised. Name half OF half of HALF that GEJ has raised. Jesus is Lord and the fact that you even consider him in reference to Buhari is praise indeed..... when last did you imagine GEJ whist thinking of Christ? 5. Show us the emotion rather than play with words... what concerns the subject matter with beheadings and please, stop lying. When last did you see any human beheaded? Name such, place, time and exact reason
ReplyDeleteWe are not fools here. Your TAN masters may pay you a pittance but you won't get out of your pitiable ssate by selling your future for broth, Mr Esau
......And the lousy APC failed to field competent leaders like Fashola for President because of Sentiments.
DeleteBuhari is just an accident waiting to happen. No vision, Nada. He is set in his way to sharialize nigeria. Pyscho.
What is this one saying?
ReplyDeleteHe's saying that Buhari has not good to offer than to Islamize Nigeria and berate the Igbos. Therefore, he can never get back to Aso Rock in his remaining life time.
DeleteGosh, 150 cows. He just want to seat on the post and punish the xtains and the igbos
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the big problem we have and i hope one day we all wake up to fight it together................... They really have drive us to that extend were we need to wake up(pdp) enough is enough. For many years they have rule us? For how long will they keep making things difficult for there generation and family(not me or us) we tern not to see it ? They told us now that when they will election the fuel price is going to #150!!!!!!!!!!!! Ah now you want them to start laying off worker/staff in our local factory here in agbara industrial aria when they increase the fuel pump prise? Please wake up!!!!!! All we need is TEST OF CHANGE !!!!!!!!!!!!! Rmc ,all I know is, am tired of all this gej gbm thing and 9ja will get better thing. I just need change and apc will have to prove me right!!!!
ReplyDelete